Unlock Productivity With Commitment Devices! Pairing Disliked Tasks With Enjoyable Ones Can Boost Motivation and Help You Achieve Your Goals. Learn How to Leverage This Strategy, From Bundling Cold Calls With Evening Bourbon to Pairing Workouts With Favorite TV Shows.
It is human nature to avoid activities we do not like, even if they are necessary activities. We indulge in activities we like but know we are not nearly as productive. To overcome this tendency, sometimes we need to incorporate commitment devices to achieve our desired outcomes. While I know I have to make cold calls periodically to stimulate sales, I’m not a big fan of making these calls.
To make sure I don’t avoid making the necessary calls, I bundle making the cold calls I dislike with tasks I really enjoy. Typically, I like to end my workday with a glass Evan Williams bourbon on the rocks. If I don’t make my self-imposed number of cold calls, I do not earn my evening bourbon, which gives me the incentive to make the undesirable cold calls. Also, I get no joy out of spending time on the elliptical machine so I record a TV news program I really enjoy and allow myself to watch it only when I’m working out in my home gym.
To get my dose of the program, I have to force myself to work out. Other examples of commitment devices I know other people have used include only being able to drink beer if all the laundry is done or indulging in eating pizza if they agree to deny themselves TV that evening or add 20 minutes to their workout. Using commitment devices can be the key to achieving the outcomes you desire.
Do you use commitment devices to force yourself to do necessary, but less than pleasant tasks or to keep your indulgences balanced?
